Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat video walkthrough

Come take a look at the future of Android

The Nexus 5 is upon us, and with it Android 4.4 KitKat. The latest Nexus handset combines high-end Android hardware with the latest pure Android straight from Google. In the new OS version, KitKat, the stock UI has seen its biggest visual overhaul since Android 4.0, with brighter colors replacing the old "Holo" blue. Many of the staple Android apps have been overhauled too — text messages are now handled by Hangouts, the dialer has turned into a sort of digital yellow pages, and Google Now is now built into the stock launcher.

Software often soaks up much of the attention when there's a new Nexus phone, but the the Nexus 5's hardware is impressive in its own right. The (very soft) soft-touch back and sides . The jury's still out on the device's camera — we'll need to test it some more in the days ahead — but if nothing else it's a welcome improvement on the Nexus 4's disappointing shooter. And as we've seen on other high-end Android phones, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 CPU screams with performance.

All in all, we're looking at one of the most impressive Android phones of the year. Check past the break to watch our video walkthrough of Android 4.4 KitKat and the new Google Nexus 5.

Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat video walkthrough

Is anyone having issues with the gain (volume) of the headset mic on the Nexus 5? People who are talking to me on the phone have commented that when speaking directly into the mic on the phone the volume is fine, but when I plug in my headset mic, it is much lower in volume. I've been able to replicate this with multiple headsets. Is anyone else having the issue?

The phone looks like it's going to be an amazing device and if I owned any phone other than the HTC One, I'd be all over it. But fact is I do own an HTC One and I believe I would miss it dearly were I to switch.

Thanks. Great review and definitely something I'm considering. One, hopefully constructive, comment on the narration that may help in the future... Can you please slow down? I'm almost certain the narration is from a script and it seems rushed, to the point it begins to sound garbled and like the legal disclaimers you hear at the end of a pharmaceutical commercial. That said, I depend on these reviews and they have a great influence in my buying decisions. I appreciate them very much.

I didn't order soon enough. 2-3 week wait. Then I'll see if I prefer this or my HTC One. I kiss wireless charging from my Pre soo much. The wireless charging is what made the decision for the N5 over the Moto X

Ok I need some honest opinions here. I'm debating if I should sell my note 2 for the nexus 5 but two things worry me are going from a 5.5 to a 5 (4.95) inch screen and battery life. The Big screen has spoiled me and not having to worry about being near a place to charge my phone keeps me from pulling the trigger. Thanks for the help.

We can all adapt, but I think the luxury of a big screen (if that's your thing) is hard to beat. I would imagine that the lure of a 5.7" Note 3 in a smaller footprint than the Note 2, will appeal with some great features and the fact that you may be accustomed to Samsung and TouchWiz.

On the other hand you have the LG devices of either the Nexus 5 and pure stock Google or the LG G2 which has a 5.2" screen and from all reports also worth considering.

In my own unbiased opinion I would say Nexus 5
(but if you knew me and read all my posts you would realise I'm a Nexus Groupie) Lol

And yet... I'm really drawn to this phone. It looks really slick (although I'm a bit accident prone, so I would have to put it in a case anyways). It will be a few months before I'm technically "upgrade eligible", but it looks like I have a hard decision ahead, especially since I would insist on having the 32GB model (which Sprint has not yet announced as ever being available for upgrade).

I bought it outright since my renewal doesn't come up until next summer... I had spare batteries for the EVO & EVO 3D and found I rarely used them because of the hassle of taking the case off etc. They were great to have on long trips but that's about it, after the EVO LTE I got used to USB battery packs and even prefer them to an extent (no rebooting, larger capacity, etc).

Holding the G2 & Moto X next to similarly sized phones sold me on the on-screen buttons too... Previous phones with on screen buttons just had more bezel and no size advantage, but the G2 & X both bucked that trend. New API in Kit Kat further reinforce that IMO, since it's now easier to have apps go full screen and hide the buttons.

Besides, no one gets the capacitive button arrangement right anymore (Samsung's menu button, HTC's lack of dedicated app switching button, etc). As far as removable storage, meh, you'll never convince me there's any real benefit to taking it away; but I can certainly live with 32GB (wish it were 32GB/$350 tho). USB OTG and stuff like that Meenova OTG/microSD reader go a long way.

Won't even really miss the EVO/EVO LTE kickstand, the Clearshot kickstand from Kickstarter works much better for reading and taking pictures. I'm gonna miss a couple HTC software tweaks but I've already found suitable replacements and getting updates straight from Google without worrying about root status etc will be fun.

I just hope this isn't a one off and Sprint continues to support the Nexus line! TBH, if it wasn't for all the tangential benefits of owning a GSM/CDMA Nexus device, I would've probably kept the EVO LTE for two years. Maybe I'll make it that long with the Nexus 5... ;)

Mine arrives on Monday!!! I've been hyped for this phone since May... I can't wait!

I'm really interested to see how the camera performs. Early rumors suggested it would be poor again; based purely on the fact that it was an 8 MP shooter, while other phones have moved on to 13 MP or more. But the inclusion of OIS, HDR+, and the special lens components might make it a fairly decent competitor to phones like the HTC One or Galaxy S4.

Regardless, Android Kit Kat looks fantastic... can't wait to play around with it.

Headphone sound is good, much better than nexus 4.New Kit-kat icons are too big for my liking just seem blown up, using apex launcher instead but lose the transparency. Phone is super fast and camera is definite improvement over nexus 4 especially in low light but can't help feel I'd rather have HTC one in black.

It kinda does. Im not sure from the lock screen or when its off but from what Ive seen in other videos you can say OK Google from the home screens and it launches Google Now. So it does have the always listening to a certain point

At what point did i say better? And there isnt a point as the topic was storage and the nexus is not expandable there for you cant make a comparison in price. If the Nexus did have expandable storage then you could. That said you do get great value from the nexus 5, is it the better device in my opinion No, there NOW i have said which is the Better device the Note 3 and read very carefully IN MY OWN OPINION to which i am entitled to.

I never put down any device i just make a personal prefference, each has its own merrits.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. For your needs the lack of expandable storage is a feature that just doesn't appeal.
For a long time I also deemed expandable storage essential and is the main reason why to this date the Nexus S is the only Nexus phone I have never owned. Once I realised Google were not for turning and the number of SD cards that went faulty in my phones, losing (corrupting) all the data I personally decided SD cards weren't for me or necessary. All I did was carry large media files for which I rarely accessed and I have, with management, lived with the limited space on my Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4.
The other issue was not being able to push apps to the SD card as was possible pre Android 4.0

These are my reasons why for me expandable storage is not necessary but is in no means a criticism on your choice.

I am wondering about this as well. I don't want to disable Google Now entirely, but just to disable having it as a left swipe from the homescreen and just use the normal bottom swipe upwards. Is that possible to do? Otherwise Nova here I come...

Google really need to get the hotword activator into the UK voice search, most of the things that don't cross the Atlantic are pretty understandable, licencing issues et al, but I can't see a reason for this.

In fact I'm looking forward to the early 2014 release of the HTC One upgrade to Qualcomm's Snapdragon A800 with all of HTC's innovative features. Notice how Google incorporated HTC's Zoe feature as with other past HTC innovations.

The Nexus 5 will make a great replacement for the Nexus 4 if the camera is better than substandard.
And a great replacement for Samsung's old school physical button bloat fork with exception for those disconnected wilderness aficionados.

"pitiful battery life"? How would you know? The phone was made available only last night, not even 24 hours ago, which is certainly not enough time to make an informed decision about battery life. You're only saying this because you got butt hurt with your "crappy ass" Galaxy Nexus on Verizon with its "piss poor" battery life, according only to you that is.
"poor multitasking"? Be honest now, how often are you really using multi window to watch a video and compose a text, IM, or email? The stock app switcher works just fine. Just because you think Nexus devices are "boring" or "useless"(despite your recent claims of getting a Nexus 7 by the end of this month), doesn't mean that everyone else thinks that way too. Grow the f*ck up.
"Busted camera"? Again, the phone hasn't even been available for 24 hours, and you claim all this BS with not one shred of proof? Oh right, I forgot that you think just because a previous Nexus device sucked in those areas, that absolutely must mean the new one will too. What an idiot.

Richard you are slacking...you completely forgot to use all caps with definitive statements like "PERIOD.", "BEST.", "BOTTOM LINE.", "FACT." - and combine them all into a single sentence, like "BOTTOM LINE FACT is Samsung is BEST. PERIOD." - you know, one of those lovely sentences that are entirely subjective and can have no basis of truth or fact whatsoever. :-)

Still, anyone watching TheVerge Show yesteday watched in horror as Josh tried to make just one decent photo with the Nexus.. not looking good, no matter what you think of TheVerge (on which I kinda agree).

Have you looked at what the full price of phones cost in the Europe versus the full price of the same phone in the US? In most cases I believe you will pay more in Europe if you consider exchange rates.

If you are going to parse someone's post looking for something to nitpick then at least try to understand what they are saying before you spout off.

Hey everyone phandroid has the nexus experience launcher and hangouts 2.0 and a couple other of the updated apps I'm running the launcher on my G2 it's pretty good but can't seem to find a way to add pages to the home screen. Other than that the "Ok googl" from the home screen works perfectly.

I agree! Really great review Alex! I can't believe you squeezed that all into 6 minutes! Your professionalism and the thought that you put into your first impression are really phenomenal, unlike some other unnamed high traffic tech blogs. Oh, and the new dubstep intro is pretty dope